News Releases - Superfund and Brownfields

(Boston, Mass. – Dec. 5, 2013) – EPA and the State of Connecticut have reached a settlement with the Durham Manufacturing Company (DMC) for partial reimbursement of EPA’s past costs in the remediation at the Durham Meadows Superfund Site, and for DMC to perform certain work obligations at the DMC Study Area portion of the Site.

The settlement between the parties is based upon DMC’s limited ability-to-pay. Under the terms of the Consent Decree, approved by the Court on Nov. 12, 2013, DMC agrees to make cash payments in the amount of $2.9 million, to be paid in four installments over three years. The company also agrees to perform certain work obligations at the DMC portion of the Site. EPA has valued the work obligations at $1.1 million.

The settlement also requires DMC to provide access and impose institutional controls on the properties at the DMC Study Area in order to ensure protection of human health and the environment.

The Durham Meadows Superfund Site includes the former location of Merriam Manufacturing Company at 281 Main Street, and DMC’s currently-operating manufacturing facility at 201 Main Street, both located in Durham, Conn. During their respective operating histories, both companies used various solvents in the manufacture of metal cabinets, boxes, and other items. The companies’ past disposal of wastewater at their facilities contributed to contamination that has been detected in soil and groundwater on both industrial properties, as well as in residential drinking water wells surrounding the two facilities.

EPA performed cleanup work at the Merriam Manufacturing Company Study Area and also entered into a settlement earlier this year with the Merriam Manufacturing Company, Aztec Industries, LLC and the Estate of Allan Adams. EPA, in cooperation with the State of Connecticut, has begun design work for the remedy selected at the DMC Study Area.